Employers bolster health insurance plans during the pandemic with more mental health care, telemedicine

Medical Xpress November 11, 2021
Ken Alltucker

During a year when millions are working remotely, employers that provide health insurance for the bulk of working-age Americans bolstered access to telemedicine and mental-health services, a Kaiser Family Foundation survey found.

The survey also found the average cost for an employer health insurance family plan was $22,221, up 4% from a year ago, a more moderate rate hike compared to a decade ago. Workers paid an average of $5,969 toward the cost of family coverage.

Average family premiums have climbed 47% over the past decade, more than a 31% increase in wages. The average cost for an employer-provided individual plan was $7,739, also up 4% from last year.

Employers who provide coverage for about 155 million Americans are “focused...